Pubdate: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2010 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323 Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Chris Roberts EXPERT: REDUCING DEMAND FOR DRUGS THAT FUEL ILLEGAL OPERATIONS POSSIBLE EL PASO -- Reducing demand for drugs that fuel illegal operations in the United States and Mexico will require money and a change of priorities, a speaker at the 7th Annual Border Security Conference said today. The conference at the University of Texas at El Paso is in its second and final day. Drug courts that divert law breakers into treatment programs have significantly fewer problems with probation violations, said Josiah Heyman, chairman of UTEP's Department of Sociology and Anthropology. "Why don't we have more investment in these kinds of approaches?" Heyman asked. "All of these things have large upfront costs." Nonetheless, those approaches save money in the long run, he said. Combined with changes in social attitudes, significant demand reduction is possible, he said. "I grew up when smoking and drinking was the image of coolness on television," Heyman said. "We know that's gone away. We can do it." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D